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It is important to understand how your teeth function and how your oral hygiene habits affect them. The good news is, taking care of your teeth is easier than ever before, as we now have an abundance of information about oral health and a variety of different oral care tools at our disposal.

The following ten teeth related facts are essential to your oral health. Learning about them may even prevent you from having to seek emergency dental services in Edmonton one day.

1.    Your teeth are unique to you

Your smile is one of a kind! Even if you were to have an identical twin their teeth would vary from yours. For this reason, dental records can be used to identify human remains.

2.    Your teeth and icebergs are somewhat similar

Approximately 1/3 of each tooth is underneath your gums. This means, taking care of your gums is vital. Note, healthy gums should be pink and firm.

3.    You have 32 teeth in total

Ever wondered how many teeth you actually have? Well, you have 8 front teeth, four canine teeth, and 12 molars which means you have 32 teeth in total.

Fun fact, while 32 teeth may seem like a lot to us humans, dolphins have anywhere from 80-240 teeth.

4.    Your enamel is tougher than you think

Your enamel is the outer layer of your teeth that protects them from damage. It is the hardest part of your body and is comprised of mainly calcium and phosphate. You can think of tooth enamel as a shell that shields your teeth, similar to the purpose of a turtle’s shell.

5.    Your enamel isn’t indestructible though

Despite the fact that your enamel is extremely strong, it can still chip and crack requiring you to seek emergency dental services in Edmonton. Additionally, your teeth can decay when you regularly consumes sugary/acidic beverages, such as soda. This is why it is best to limit your sugar consumption to prevent harmful effects.

6.    Yellow teeth mean decay

Your morning coffee isn’t the only culprit behind your tooth stains. When your teeth begin to decay, your enamel can change color and begin to look yellow. Tooth decay can also be the cause behind your tooth pain. Note,if you are experiencing a persistent toothache, visit your emergency dental clinic in Edmonton as soon as possible.

7.    Your enamel doesn’t grow but your dentin does

Even though your tooth enamel stops forming the earliest in tooth development, your dentin in continues to grow and change over time. As you age, new layers of dentin in are formed on the inner surface of your teeth. Dentin is the layer beneath the enamel and there are three different types of dentin which include, primary, secondary, and repetitive.

8.    Your mouth is home to bacteria… lots of it too

Guess how many different bacteria species are probably in your mouth right now? The answer is, 200 to 300! So who is to blame for all of this? Streptococcus mutans.

Streptococcus mutans are the leading cause of tooth decay and other oral diseases.

9.    Plaque is your worst enemy

Plaque is a white and sticky substance that is constantly growing on your teeth. Without proper removal, it can cause your teeth to decay. Brushing twice per day, and flossing regularly can prevent plaque from hardening and developing into tooth decay. Always be sure to visit your dentist in Edmonton every 6 months for a dental cleaning and checkup as well.

10.    Your body produces 10,000 gallons of saliva

Every day, your body produces around a quart of saliva which means a total of 10,000 gallons throughout your lifetime. Saliva keeps your mouth clean and healthy, it washes away food particles and neutralized acids in plaque. It also aids your digestive system.